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Ottawa University-Ottawa vs Tabor College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Ottawa KS · vs · Private nonprofit, Hillsboro KS

The verdict

Tabor College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $80,820 in 14.2 years versus 15.6 years at Ottawa University-Ottawa, on median earnings of $54,058 vs $55,552 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureOttawa University-OttawaTabor College
Net price / yr$27,963$20,205
Total net cost$111,852$80,820
Median earnings, 10 yrs$55,552$54,058
Median debt$21,500$23,887
Payback15.6 yrs14.2 yrs
20-year net return$31,988$33,140

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Ottawa University-Ottawa or Tabor College?

Tabor College, at $20,205 a year after aid versus $27,963 — a gap of $7,758 a year, or $31,032 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Ottawa University-Ottawa or Tabor College graduates earn more?

Ottawa University-Ottawa graduates report a median $55,552 ten years after entry, $1,494 more than the $54,058 at Tabor College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Ottawa University-Ottawa or Tabor College?

Ottawa University-Ottawa: its completers carry a median $21,500 in federal loans versus $23,887 at Tabor College, a difference of $2,387. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

34% of students finish at Tabor College, against 28% at Ottawa University-Ottawa. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Ottawa University-Ottawa vs Tabor College: frequently asked questions

Is Ottawa University-Ottawa or Tabor College a better value?
Tabor College. It clears its $80,820 net cost in about 14.2 years versus 15.6 years at Ottawa University-Ottawa, on median earnings of $54,058 vs $55,552 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Ottawa University-Ottawa or Tabor College?
Tabor College: $20,205/yr net price after aid versus $27,963/yr at Ottawa University-Ottawa — a difference of $7,758 a year, or about $31,032 over four years.
Do Ottawa University-Ottawa or Tabor College graduates earn more?
Ottawa University-Ottawa graduates earn a median $55,552 ten years after entry, versus $54,058 at Tabor College — a $1,494 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.